Professor James Maynard has been appointed as the new Regius Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford. He will succeed Professor Sir Andrew Wiles and take up the post in the Mathematical Institute on 1 October 2026. Read more about the appointment: https://tinyurl.com/ytjvmurc

Researchers led by the Department of Physics have discovered two of the lowest-density giant planets ever detected. The rare "super-puff" planets, TOI-791 b and TOI-791 c, are about the size of Jupiter but have densities lower than candy floss. See more: https://tinyurl.com/4bwjxc9d

ICYMI:  Oxford chemists have been recognised in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s 2026 Prizes. Professor Yimon Aye was named winner of a Corday-Morgan Mid-Career Prize for Chemistry and Team SNOM were awarded the Dalton Horizon Prize. Find out more at: https://tinyurl.com/y3tz5x3z

🎙️ Can AI accelerate the search for new medicines? Fergus Imrie from the Department of Statistics joins the @OxfordSparks podcast to discuss OpenBind, an open-access dataset of protein–ligand interactions designed to advance AI-driven drug discovery. 🎧 https://tinyurl.com/mryn5byh

Five researchers from Oxford's MPLS Division have been awarded European Research Council Advanced Grants. The awards, worth up to €2.5m each over five years, will support leading research in chemistry, mathematics and computer science. ➡️ Read more: https://tinyurl.com/4dmrcrh4

Oxford will host BOLD, the new UK AI Research Lab. Backed by a £60m EPSRC investment, the cross-university initiative will bring together researchers from Oxford, UCL and Imperial to develop open, safe and resource-efficient AI. Find out more at: https://tinyurl.com/ya9nh8se

Congratulations to the winners of the MPLS Awards for Outstanding Research Supervision! Recognised by colleagues and research group members, each winner has shown an outstanding commitment to nurturing talent and supporting career development 👏 ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/tbp5a7h5

Congratulations to Prof Brian Ripley, Emeritus Prof of Applied Statistics at Oxford, on being named a 2026 Rousseeuw Prize laureate. The award recognises the International R Core Team's work making advanced statistical computing tools freely available. 👇

From accelerating discovery to reshaping research, how is AI transforming science? Hear from Dr Stuart Feldman, President and Chief Scientist at Schmidt Sciences, at Oxford's Schmidt AI in Science Annual Public Lecture. ➡️ Register online at: https://forms.office.com/e/Bb429LV7J4

NEW RESEARCH: Work led by the Department of Biology reveals how ancient genetic doubling events gave evolution the raw material to create new brain cell types, shaping vertebrate brains for hundreds of millions of years🧠 Find out more about the research: https://tinyurl.com/y38k5jtz

👏 Congratulations to the winners, highly commended nominees and finalists from across the Division who have been recognised at this year's Vice-Chancellor's Awards. Read more about this year's winners from across the University: https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/vice-chancellors-awards

EXPERT COMMENT: Global coral reef collapse is not inevitable. Oxford Earth Sciences researcher Noam Vogt-Vincent discusses evidence that coral reefs could still recover later this century if we rapidly reach net zero. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/y7zx2ces

Our congratulations to the Oxford scientists elected Fellows of the @royalsociety.  The new Fellows include researchers from across MPLS disciplines, including mathematics, biology, statistics, physics and computer science. 👏 Find out more at: https://tinyurl.com/3fstj3pj

Do you want to showcase the wonders of your science to the public? Then join the Science Wonder Garden Party @begbrokescience.bsky.social this summer! ☀️ If you're interested in sharing your work through talks or hands on activities, register interest by 5 June. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/23jkf4ap

RESEARCH: Scientists at Oxford’s @compscioxford.bsky.social have helped achieve a world first by encoding the hepatitis D virus genome using 117 qubits on IBM’s Heron quantum processor. The work opens new possibilities for quantum genomics and bioinformatics. ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/2prna5ev

In conversation: Professor Daniela Bortoletto, Head of Particle Physics at @oxfordphysics.bsky.social, talks to CERN Director-General Mark Thomson about overseeing CERN’s biggest upgrade in 20 years and what it means for the future of science. ➡️ Read more: https://tinyurl.com/3jthsjed

Reminder: the Basics of SciFinder An initial session on the CAS SciFinder Discovery Platform covering literature searching, saved alerts, projects, substance data, and AI research tools for chemistry and related disciplines. 📅 Tomorrow at 1pm 👉 Book: https://tinyurl.com/9rnnj7y8

Expert comment: New investments in nature are accelerating, but conservation science must remain central to decision-making. Researchers from @biology.ox.ac.uk  warn that without robust evidence, nature finance risks missing the mark. Read more 👇 https://tinyurl.com/pn4rwbdv

The OpenBind consortium’s first release of experimental data marks a milestone in efforts to improve how artificial intelligence (AI) is used in drug discovery. Find out more ⬇️ https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2026-05-12-openbind-releases-first-open-dataset-and-ai-model-for-drug-discovery

New research from @oxfordphysics.bsky.social and UCL suggests pollution from coal-fired power plants is reducing solar power generation. The study analysed solar PV installations worldwide using satellite imagery, atmospheric observations and machine learning. ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/2s4yf4nv

📢 Science in the Age of Algorithms Tuesday 19 May, 5pm, Andrew Wiles Building (Maths) Public panel discussion with Professor Mullainathan (MIT), Professor Shadbolt (Oxford), and Dr Hadsell (Google DeepMind), chaired by Professor Abeler. Book online at: https://tinyurl.com/36fy2mxx

Projects and individuals from five MPLS departments and one division-led programme are shortlisted for seven of the 13 Vice-Chancellor's Award categories.  There are also colleagues from across MPLS involved in nine wider collaborative projects. 👏 👉 https://tinyurl.com/z63cjzhe

How well do climate models capture the processes that shape rainfall? New research from the Department of Physics and ETH indicates that key large-scale wind patterns may be underestimated, helping explain uncertainty in regional forecasts. ➡️ Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/76fcmnx2

New study shows that fungi are key to restoring tropical island ecosystems 🌱 Research involving scientists from the Department of Biology reveals how hidden fungal networks support rainforest recovery on remote islands like Palmyra Atoll. ➡️ Read more: https://tinyurl.com/46rtrzcb

Researchers, including those from Oxford’s Department of Engineering Science and collaborators, show for the first time that ultrasound may mimic DBS effects in Parkinson’s, potentially enabling non-invasive treatments that could avoid surgery. ➡️ Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/96wpnrem

Oxford physicists have demonstrated a new route to boosting the intensity of high-power laser light. Published in Nature, the work could enable experiments probing fundamental physics, including how light interacts with the quantum vacuum. ➡️ Read more: https://tinyurl.com/37abvu7j

Happy #EarthDay! The collaborative project, Physics in Action, produced an animation that explores the mathematics of forecasting, showing how climate science impacts everything from daily routines to public safety. 📽️https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS_9EC4tOn8 https://physicsinaction.site.ox.ac.uk/

From climate modelling to biodiversity research, scientists across the MPLS Division spend every day trying to understand and protect the world we live in. 🌍 #EarthDay2026

Antifungal resistance leads to >3.8 million deaths each year. To address this global threat, the IOI has established a new antifungal drug discovery programme, led by Dr Xuefei (Fei) Chen, to uncover new antifungal agents and treatments. Find out more 👉https://ow.ly/SiAV50YMst9

When reality outpaces satire, what's left? 🤔 This term's Sheldonian Series talk tackles The Power of Satire with Jan Ravens, Andrew Hunter Murray and Ella Baron. Wednesday 20 May, 5.30-6.45pm. Audience Q&A included. 👉 Book your tickets at https://tinyurl.com/2t3dhd9h

Nearly 30 years of data. One major social split. In a study led by UT Austin, Department of Statistics researchers contributed to the analysis of nearly 30 years of data tracking the breakdown of the world’s largest known chimpanzee community. ➡️ Read more: https://tinyurl.com/22b2mrch

📢 Have you nominated for the MPLS Impact Awards yet? Recognising outstanding research impact beyond academia across five categories: commercial, social, policy, public engagement with research, and technician impact. Deadline: 29 April Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/5n92pmuz

New research from Oxford University and Curtin University captures a black hole jet 'dancing' as it orbits a massive star. The observations provide a direct measurement of the jet’s power, confirming key assumptions in large-scale models structures. ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/2b7tjvy9

Anatomy Uncovered is a unique event combining engaging, expert led talks with an exhibition showcasing rare historic anatomy books from @bodleian.ox.ac.uk. An interactive morning at the RSL provides the context before viewing this remarkable display at the Weston Library go.glam.ox.ac.uk/anato

EVENT: Oxford AMR Network on translation and commercialisation Oxford researchers working on antimicrobial resistance are invited to hear from Oxford Science Enterprises and Oxford University Innovation, followed by networking. 📅 Tuesday 12 May, LaMB 👉 https://tinyurl.com/3nbz76jx

A newly discovered fossil site in southwest China is shedding light on the origins of complex animal life. In an Oxford-led study, researchers analysed more than 700 fossils, suggesting key animal groups emerged millions of years earlier than previously thought. ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/5bv79n5y

Storing sperm can reduce its quality across the animal kingdom, new research led by Oxford’s Department of Biology shows  with effects on fertility and offspring development. The findings could help inform fertility treatments and conservation efforts. ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/mrnj6kfz

Our congratulations to Kit Gallagher, nominated by the University of Oxford and selected as a Schmidt Science Fellow. Having completed his DPhil at the Mathematical Institute, Kit will now pivot from mathematical modelling to genetics and genomics as a 2026 @schmidtfellows.bsky.social

In The Conversation: NASA plans to have a permanent base on the Moon by 2030 – how it can be done. As NASA eyes a permanent foothold on the Moon by 2030, Oxford physicists explain what it would take, from lunar 3D printing to advanced energy systems. ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/yszkwuca

📢 Know someone who deserves recognition? The MPLS Teaching Awards are open to anyone who teaches as part of their role within the MPLS Division. Nominations can be made by academics, staff or students.  📅 Deadline: Thursday 30 April  👉 Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/47hetvhd

NEW: Researchers in @biology.ox.ac.uk have discovered that hedgehogs can hear ultrasound up to 85kHz, far beyond the human range. The finding could help develop targeted repellers to reduce hedgehog road deaths. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/558ukfwc

To all the brilliant women working across the sciences at Oxford University, thank you. You inspire and shape the future. #IWD2026 #WomenInSTEM #InternationalWomensDay

A newly identified rice gene helps maintain yields with less nitrogen fertiliser and could support more sustainable farming. In field trials, rice with an improved natural version showed higher yields under low-fertiliser conditions. ➡️ Read more: https://tinyurl.com/2k2ceaaf

Cross-Channel Collaboration for the Public Good celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Fondation Wiener-Anspach, bringing together speakers to explore how research can reach wider audiences with integrity and impact. 📅 27 March, 3pm 🗺️ Lady Margaret Hall Register: https://tinyurl.com/52s3zfbw

New Oxford analysis of Apollo moon rocks suggests the debate over the Moon’s magnetic field comes down to where samples were collected. High-titanium volcanic rocks recorded brief intense magnetism, while most of the Moon was weakly magnetic. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/3cynatvf

📢 The MPLS Impact Awards are open for nominations! Recognising outstanding research impact beyond academia across five categories: commercial, social, policy, public engagement with research, and technician impact. Deadline: 29 April 2026 Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/5n92pmuz

Join the Oxford Martin School for a talk on “energy islands”, exploring the degrees of isolation and connectedness in energy systems from microgrids to nation-states, with Professor Yael Parag. 📅 Monday 9 March 🗺️ Oxford Martin School and online Register online 👇

Reminder: MPLS Research Culture Fund is open for applications. Supporting pilot and collaborative initiatives that enhance: • How research is carried out • How contributions are recognised • How research careers are developed 🗓 Applications close: 9 March Apply now 👇 https://tinyurl.com/28xx4nnn

A collaborative study including researchers from the Department of Biology has found that a simple digital intervention using Tetris-like gameplay cut intrusive trauma memories tenfold in healthcare workers. Published in The Lancet Psychiatry. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/3sa6f8ad

A collaborative study including researchers from the Department of Biology has found that a simple digital intervention using Tetris-like gameplay cut intrusive trauma memories tenfold in healthcare workers. Published in The Lancet Psychiatry. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/3sa6f8ad